Jelly Roll is pardoned for his crimes more than 15 years after his release from prison

Jelly roll‘s criminal past is officially behind him.

Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee pardoned 33 people Thursday, December 18, including the country singer.

Photos published by the P.A. showed Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) smiling as he met Lee, 66, at the Tennessee governor’s mansion in Oak Hill. Lee could be seen granting the musician his official pardon in the image.

Jelly Roll has spoken candidly about his criminal past, revealing in his 2023 documentary: Jelly Roll: save methat he had been imprisoned around forty times for various offenses. Jelly Roll was arrested at age 16 for aggravated assault and was incarcerated for a year before being released on seven years of probation. Years later, he was arrested for drug trafficking. After learning in 2008 that he had become a father, the singer decided to change his life. (Jelly Roll is the father of daughter Bailee, 17, and son Noah, 9.)

In April, the Tennessee Parole Board unanimously recommended Jelly Roll’s pardon.

“It was incredible,” said the singer P.A. at the time. “I pray that it comes true. But today was special for me, regardless.”

Lee spoke briefly with reporters after Thursday’s pardons, responding to criticism that Jelly Roll was only included because of his celebrity status.

“Her story is remarkable, it’s a redemptive and powerful story, it’s what you look for and what you hope for,” Lee said.

Since his release from prison in 2009, Jelly Roll has focused on redemption through his music career.

“I couldn’t be selfish anymore. There was something that was solely on me,” Jelly Roll said in a 2022 radio interview, while explaining how her daughter changed her life. “I knew it was an important task. So I wanted to take it seriously. And I did. I still take it very seriously today.”

In addition to making music – Jelly Roll has released 20 albums since 2012 – he is also a strong advocate for the cause. He testified before the U.S. Senate in 2024 and urged lawmakers to help stop the spread of fentanyl.

“I think it’s important for me to tell you all that I’m not here to defend the use of illegal drugs, and I also understand the paradox of my history as a drug dealer before this commission,” he said during the hearing. “But also, I think that’s what makes me perfect to talk about it. I was part of the problem. I’m here now, as a man who wants to be part of the solution.”

Jelly Roll later reflected on this moment in an interview with rolling stone.

“[I had the] I have an opportunity to go and speak in front of people who, frankly, I think, are dropping the ball,” he shared. “I have to go out there and try to rally support behind calls that I think shouldn’t be as overshadowed as they are, and speak for a part of America that isn’t spoken about often and in a positive way. “

Jelly Roll emphasized that “no one humanizes addiction,” which she thinks is very important.

“Fentanyl goes deeper than addiction,” he added at the time. “My only goal was to hopefully bring attention to this topic. And I think I did that. Believe it or not, I got a call from almost every senator in the United States.”